Jonny Evans has admitted that the new Premier League season will be a crucial period in his Manchester United career.

The Northern Irishman is the most experienced defender remaining at Old Trafford following the departures of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, but he is not concerned about the pressure on his shoulders at the start of Louis van Gaal's reign.

"If you look at Nemanja Vidic, he did not join us until he was 25 or 26," Evans is quoted as saying by The Guardian. "I think I have benefited playing with Rio and Nemanja for a long time, and Wes Brown before that, and learning a lot through my career. It is a big time in my career now.

"I don't see this talk that we do have to sort of step up. There is myself, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling [associated] with the term 'stepping up' but for the last six or seven years it has not been a case of not wanting to step up. The aim is always to be the best that you can."

Evans has made over 200 appearances since making his United debut in 2007.